Azores Wine Company Branco Vulcânico IG Açores 2021

Wine Type:
Style of Wine:	Light & Crisp
Country of Origin:	Portugal
Grape Varietal:	Various
Bottle Format:	750mL
Case Size:	6 bottles
$299.52 Per Case ($49.92/btl)

Tasting Notes

This blend of 85% Arinto de Azores (unrelated to mainland Portugal's Arinto) and 15% Verdejo was whole bunch pressed, and fermented in inox with battonage. Light on its feet, this medium-bodied white is fresh with wild melon, subtle spice, pear blossom over a cushion of lees, finishing with a mouthwatering saline wash. Lovely glimpse of the volcanic, marine-trinsic Azores.

Widely regarded as one of the most dynamic young winemakers in Portugal, António Maçanita crafts wines from the Azores archipelago to Alentejo, each one capturing the essence of the regional terroir and traditions. Antonio was named 2018 Winemaker of the Year in Revista de Vinhos Magazine, as well as awarded the 2018 Singularity Award by Revista Grandes Escolhas.

The Azores Wine Company was founded by partners António Maçanita, Filipe Rocha and Insula Vinus, Lda. They have ben instrumental in the promotion of Azorean wine and gastronomy.

Critical Praise

"The 2018 Branco Vulcânico is mostly Arinto dos Açores, plus 15% Verdelho. It is unoaked and comes in at 12.5% alcohol, and with a pH of 3.5. Winemaker Antonio Maçanita says that this comes in between the regular Arinto and the Arinto Sur Lie in style. Fresh, a little spicy and very perky, this shows reasonable concentration, a long finish and some notable grip. It is also well integrated and balanced, though. I'm not sure this felt like a long-ager to me, but Antonio assured me that he never had a wine from the Azores that was dead, and this will last "forever." Let's start here with something a little more realistic and take that in stages. Forever is a long time. Drink 2019-2026." - 90 points, Mark Squires, Wine Advocate, Aug 30, 2019

"Açores, volcanic and maritime are the three-headed beast that makes this Branco of 85 per cent arinto (dos açores) with verdelho shine. Clearly marine salty and rock supported but the location (middle of the Atlantic) and terroir (nothing else grows) make this a statement of the complete obvious. The Portuguese arinto can be lean and searing, neutral even but here the basalt elevates the flesh and the overall game. A must try white wine." - 92 points, Michael Godel, Wine Align